JUDGMENT :

J.J. MUNIR, J.

1. This writ petition is directed against an order of termination from service dated 28.06.2023 passed against the petitioner by the Chairman, U.P. Power Corporation Ltd., Lucknow. The petitioner has prayed that the order be quashed and a mandamus issued to the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service without consequential benefits.

2. The brief facts giving rise to this petition are that the petitioner was appointed a Junior Engineer on 14.03.2016 in terms of an appointment letter dated 03.02.2016, issued by the Chief Engineer (Hydro-Electric), U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. Lucknow. The petitioner successfully completed his probation and confirmed in service. While posted as a Junior Engineer at the Sultanpur Electricity Substation, Moradabad, a complaint was laid against him by one Nazim Ali to the effect that the complainant’s application for sanction of a commercial electricity connection was pending with the petitioner. The complainant alleged that on 16.09.2022 when he went to meet the petitioner, he told him that he would take proceedings on his application, if the complainant paid him a bribe of Rs.15,000/-. In fact, the complaint says that th